Automatic pressure retaining and sustaining valve for air-brake systems



Feb 7, 192s, 1,658,678

' w. B. HEINIGER AUTOMATIC PRESSURE RETAINING AND SUSTAINING VALVE FR AIR BRAKE SYSTEMS iNVENTOR Feb.1,'1928.i 1,858,878y

vW. B. HEINIGER AUTOMATIC PRESSURE RETAINING AND SUSTAINING VALVE FOR AIR BRAKE SYSTEMS Filed May 5, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 om Auxasaavom FRaM AUXLRESEVOIR INVENTOR p35 port Patentedy Feb. 7, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT oFFicE.

WILLIAM n. Harriman, or JnRsn'Y orrY, NEW JERSEY.

AUTOMATIC PRESSUIfE RETAINING kAND SUSTAININ'G VALVE FOB AIR-BRAKE SYSTEMS.

Application led Hay 3, 1927. Serial No. 188,513.

This invention relates to air brake systems and has particular reference to an improved automatic brake cylinder pressure retaining and sustainn valve. A @ne of the outstan 'ng objects of the present invention is to provide an improved automatic brake cylinder pressure retaining and sustaining valve for each auxiliary reservoir, which valve is operable by variation l@ in pressure in the auxiliary reservoirs which are charged for the application of the brakes, by the passage of said auxiliary reservoir pressure to the brake cylinders under certain conditions, thereby placing the valve under t5 the cont-rol of the engineer, whereby ffthe same serves in the capacity of a safety appliance. j

lhe invention as a further object comprehends as an accessory to an air brake sys- 30 tem, an improved automatic retaining and sustaining valvel which functions to overcome a predetermined amount of brake cylinder leakage on the cars that have the re- Ytaining valves set in Working position for 25 a predetermined length ot time.

'lhe invention further comprehends an automatic retaining and sustaining valve including a core or pist-on and anexcess pressure valved port in which the amount ci 30 pressure required to change the valve from a working position to a release position is governed by the circumstances that the conditions reduire and is accomplished by the functioning of the excess pressure vvalved in conjunction with the auxiliary reservoir pressure and the piston or core.

'lhe invention furthermore comprehends.

in a retaining and sustaining valve of the character set forth, a blow-down valved port m lfor governing the amount of pressure to be retained inthe lbralre cylinders and the rate of brake cylinder pressure reduction onthe cars where the retaining valves are set in a Working position. L' The invention furthermore comprehends an improved automatic retainin and sus'- taining valve by virtue of which t e number of cars on which the automatic retaining valves are to be placed in working or set "0 position, may be controlled by a careful manipulation of the engineers brake valve and in which the pressure to open and close the valve, the pressure to be retained in the brake cylinders, the amount of brake cylinplates a device which der leakage to be overcome, and the excess pressurenay all be predetermined.

As a-further feature the invention contemplates in an air brake system, an automatic retainin and sustaining valve by virtue of which t between any predeterminedpamounts of pressure to operate the brakes in service position vvithout setting the retainers in Working position, and in which said valves after having been set in working position, will remain in said position until after the auxiliary reservoirs are charged to the desired ressure, thereby assuring a maximum auX- 1 iary reservoir pressure before the valves are moved to a release position. This feature in conjunction with the sustaining valve feature, allows oraster travel on grades in view of the fact that the engineer has positiveknowledge that ample auxiliary reservoir ressure is available at all times for rei-application of the brakes.

'lhe invention furthermore comprehends a valve of the character set sures uniformity of brake cylinder pressure independent of piston travel when the retaining valves are set in working position, as, for instance, on grades.

Another object resides in the provision ot an improved valve of the character set forth which is adaptable for either freight or pas senger train service, but Which in the latter e engine man is afforded a range forth which ininstance may require certain changes in the and other parts to conform with the springs auxiliary reservoir higher brake pipe and pressures.

Another important feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a device which revents nonobservance of the rules as to t e having of a required brake pipe pressure before e aving a terminal.

As a further object the invention contemacilitates the `detection of defective triple valves due to the feed ports being partially clogged or otherwise ineiicient..` l

A still further object resides in the provision of an automatic ressure retaining and sustaining val've Whic is comparatively simple lin Aits construction and mode of op'- eration, which is economical to r oduceJ and." install, and .which is highly e cient 1n its purposes to obtain a graduated release, maintenance of brake cylinder pressure, the abil ity to dbtainemergency pressure at any time,

' the invention.

and a uniformity of brake cylinder pressure independent of the piston travel.

With the above recited and other objectsy in view, reference is had to the following description and accompanying drawings in which there is exhibited one exam le or embodiment of the invention, while t e appended claims define the actual scope of In the drawings- Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view through the improved retaining and sustaining valve illustrating the same in inactive or lap position;

Fig. 2 is a similar view illustrating the valve in a position for admitting ressure for increasing the resistance of the va ve core or piston;

Fig. 3Y is a similar view illustrating the' the main body of the valve casing 10 for axial `sliding movement, the said core being keyed at 16 against rotation. The valve core or piston 15 is rovided with a reduced.

.lower end 17, whic is slidable in the reduced lower end 11 ofthe casing 10, the said reducedl lowerend 17 of the piston having a conical shoulder 18 adapted u on upward movement of the core or piston .to coact and engage with the seat 12 to limit the upward movement of `the core addition to providing a positive seal against the leakage of pressure at this point from thel auxiliary reservoir. The valve core or piston is providedwith an axial bore 19 ex-l tending from its lo'wer e'nd upwardly, which bore at the lower end communicates with an .axial bore 20 in the lower reduced end 17 of the core or piston, whereb the pressure from the auxiliary reservoir may flow through the bore 20 into the bore 19. The

Valve core or piston 15 is provided with a rt 21 and an upper radialports communicate and ex-V lower radial port 22, whic y tend from the axial bore 19 through the pe'- riphery of the core or iston 15;

The valve casing 1 is provided with Vaux' intake port 23 and an exhaust port '24 'disposed 'in verticall spaced relation, the former communicating with4 the triple valve exhaust through a conduit or pipe 25, and

the latter being'inl direct communication with the atmosphere. Preferably, a blowdown valve 26 is interposed in the triple valve exhaust conduit or between said conduit and the intake port 23 the purpose of which blow-down valve will be hereinafter set forth.

l The valve core or piston 15 is provided with a peripheralrecess or passageway 27, which uponmovement of the iston u ward ly to a predetermined position, esta lishes communication betweericiJ the triple valve exhaust intake port 23 and the exhaust port 24. Between its lower en d and theintake port 23, the valve casin j isvprovided with a pressure passage 28 w 'ch communicates with and leads from the interior of the valve casing 10 and extends through and communicates with the intake port 23. A transverse bore 29 intersects the pressure passage 28, and the transverse bore 29 has mounted therein for axial sliding movement a valve core 30, wliich will hereinafter be referred to as the sustaining valve, which sustaining valve is in the nature of a piston having a peripheral groove 31. .The piston or sustaining -valve element 30 is normally urged in one direction by a coiled expansion spring 32 having the desired tension which for purposes of illustration will be assumed to be twenty-five pgunds. The spring is interposed .between one end of the sustaining valve and a ventedclosure plug 33, which is threadedly engaged in the outer end of the transverse bore 29. The opposite end of the `transverse bore 29 communicates wit-h a passage 34 which leads into and communicates with the pressure passage at a point between the sustaining valve and the triple valve exhaust pressure intake ort 23. This end of the sustaining valve e ement 30 is provided with an abutment lug 35, which prevents flat engagement of said end with the end wall ofthe transverse bore-29,-and at all times permits pressure from the tri le valve F exhaust to act upon the inner en of the valve element or piston 30. It is, of course, obvious if no pressure or pressure less than twenty-live pounds exists in the port 23 and in the passage 34, the spring 32 will force the sustaining valve element 30 to the position illustrated in Fig. 2, in which instance the valve clement 30 intersects and blocks the pressure feed passage 28 which leads from the interior of the valve casing 10.-

4If the pressure in the port 23 is twenty-tive poundsv or* slightly more than twenty-five pounds, the valve element 30 will assume `the position illustrated in Fig. l, which disposes thel peripheral with the passage 28.

The upper end'of the piston or valve core 15 isprovided with an axial recess 36 which defines an annular upstanding collar 37 and groove 31 in registry ,the upper end of the valve casing 10 is closed by a closurel cap 38, between which-and the upper end of the piston or valve core 15, a.

coiled expansion spring 39 is interposed, the,l

low the pressure feed' passage 28 and out of I communication therewith.

`The valve casing adjacent its upper end is provided with an excess lpressure valve which includes a valve core or plunger 41 mounted in a transverse bore 42 which intersects a vertical by-pass 43 in the valve casing wall 10, the upper end of which by-pass 43 communi- Cates with the interior of the upper end of i the valve casing 10' and the lower end of which is formed wlth a radially inwardly extending port 44 disposed above the upper radial port 22 of the valve core or piston when said piston is in its normal lowermost position. The valve core or plun er 41 ot the excess pressure valve is norma y forced inward to the limit of its movement, a coiled expansion spring 45 having a predetermined tension, which for the purpose oi illustration, will be assumed to be twenty pounds; The spring 45 is interposed between a vented closure plug 46 threaded in the outer end of the transverse bore 42 and the outer end of the excess pressure valve core or plunger 41. The inner end of the transverse bore 42 is provided with a port 47 communicating with the interior of the upper portion of the valve casing 10. The valve core or plunger 41 is formed with a peripheral roove 48 constituting a passageway whic is designed under certain conditions, to register with the ley-pass 43 to allow for the free passage of the excess pressure through the by-pass 43 into the interior of the upper portion of the valve cas'- in 10. ln the working' condition of the va ve, however, as illustrated in Fig. 3, where the pressure in the upper portion ot' the valve casin exceeds twenty pounds, the spring 45 will e compressed so as to move the excess pressure valve core 41 to a position where it willobstruct and close the bypass 43.

The valve casing. 10 is further provided with an excess pressure exhaust port 49 extending radially therethrough and disposed above the upper end of the collar 37 when the valve core 15 is in its normal lowermost position. rllhe collar 37 is provided with aradial port50, the outer end of which port has an upward extension 51 of gradually decreasing size toward its. upper end.

The blow-down valve 26 has a valve element 52 whicht is normally forced into contact with a valve seat 53 by means of -a spring 54, which spring has-a predetermined tension,f.or the purposes of illustration assumed to be twenty-six pounds.- Said valve is further provided with ,an outlet port 55 of a size which will permit of a blowdown from forty-five pounds to twenty-five pounds in a ten-inch .Y cylinder, seven-inch piston travel, in Jfrom forty to sixty seconds, or in .an eight-inchfocylinder, seven-inch piston travel fromthirty to rty seconds.

In use andtoperation, when the auxiliary reservoir contains a pressure below vthirtyfive pounds per square inch, the automatic' ,pressure retaining and sustaining valve will bein the condition andthe parts thereo in the position, substantially as illustrated in Fig. 1, or in an inactive or lap position, where the ports 21 and 22 are respectively out of registry with the pressure feed passage 28 and the excess pressure by-pass 43. When the pressure in the auxiliary reservoir exceeds thirty-five poundsand does not exceed forty-five pounds, the valve core or piston 15 will be moved upwardly against the action of the spring 39, to substantially the position illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, which position disposes the ports 21 and 22 respectively 'in reglstry withthe feed passage 28 and the port 44 of the by-pass 43.

Fig. 2 illustrates the excess pressure valve open and the sustaining valve closed, while the excess pressure exhaust 49 is also closed. lt is thus obvious that 'some of the pressure will How through the port 20, the bore 19, the ports 22 and 44, and the ley-pass 43, into the upper portion of the valve casing 10, until twenty pounds is received in said upper portion of the casing, which is sufiicient to move the excess pressure valve core 41 to a closed position, as illustrated in Fig. 3.

When the ressure in the auxiliary reservoirexceeds orty-ive pounds, the piston or valve core 15 is moved upwardly to the position illustrated in Fig. 4, which simultaneously opens the brake cylinder pressure from the triple valve exhaust to the atmosphere by establishing communication between the ports 23 and 24,-and cuts oli communication between the ports 21 and 22 and the feed passage 28 and port 44\0 the excess pressure' by-pass 43. At this stage, it will also be noted that shoulder 18 of the reduced lower end 17 of the piston engiages with the conical seat 12 to prevent lea age of the auxiliar reservoir pressure at this point. It wi l also be ,noted that in this position, the larger portion of the outer end 51 of the port 50 of the valve core collar 37, is in registry with the excess pressure port49, thus venting the f the conical excess pressure in the upper portion of the valve casing to the atmosphere. The device will remain in this position until the auxiliary pressure drops to or below forty-live points and permits the engineer to make the usual service applications.

i Then the pressure in fthe auxiliary reservoir drops to forty-five points, the spring 39 in the upper portion ot the valve veasing lO forces the piston or valve'core 15 to the position illustrated in Fig. 2, where twenty pounds excess pressure' is again admitted to the upper portion of the valve casing 10, through the by-pass 43, while the exhaust 24 remains closed until the auxiliary reservoir again charges. to approximately sixty-five pounds. This retains the brake on when applied and permits the auxiliary reservoir to accumulate pressure for re-application of the brakes. Fig. 2 illustrates the position of the valve after the auxiliary reservoir has been fully charged to approximately seventy pounds and the engineer has set the valve in working position by making several applications, thus reducingauxilary pressure to sa forty-five pounds.

at is claimed is: l. An automatic pressure retaining valve for air brake systems, including a valve casing, and a core therein operable by variations in pressure in the auxiliary reservoir for controlling the opening and closing of the triple valve exhaust by direct action of the auxiliary reservoir pressure upon the l opposite ends of the core.

2. An automatic pressure retaining and sustaining valve for air brake systems, includin a valve casing, and a core therein operab e by variations in pressure in the. auxiliary reservoir for controlling the opening and closing of the triple valve exhaust, said valve including means for admitting pressure to the brake cylinder through the triple valve exhaust for sustaining a given pressure in the brake cylinder to compensate for pressure leakage when the brake is set.

3. An automatic pressure retaining and sustaining valve for air brake systems, comprising a casing-having spaced intake and exhaust ports, the former connected and communicating with the triple valve. exhaust, a valve core mounted 1n said casing for sliding movement and having a recess adapted upon sliding movement thereof' in opposite directions, to respectively establishv and .cut off communication between said ports, means for normally moving Ithe valve toward one end of the casing to cut oi communication between the aforesaid ports, and an inlet at'said end of the casing communicatin with the auxiliary reservoir whereby a. pre etermined auxiliary reservoir pressure overcomes the tension of said spring to move the valve core in the opposite direction, to establish communication between said ports for exhausting the pressure from the brake cylinder through the triple valve exhaust.

4. A pressure retaining valve for air brake systems connected with the triple valve exhaust and controlling the opening and closing thereof, said valve includinr a casing, a valve core, and means for normfilly moving said core in one direction to close the triple valve exhaust, said casing having an inlet at one end connected with and admitting pressure from the auxiliary reservoir to act upononeend of and to move the core in an opposite 'direction to open the triple valve exhaust.

,5. A pressure retaining valve for air brake systems connected with the triple valve exhaust and controlling the o mug and closing thereof, said valve inclu ing a casing, a valve i core, means for normally moving said core in one direction to close the triple valve exhaust, said casing having an inlet at one end connected with and admitting pressure from the auxiliary reservoir to act upon one end of and to move the core in an opposite direction to open the triple valve exhaust, an'd means for by-passing excess auxiliary reservoir pressure to act upon the other end and to co-operate with the spring for moving said core `in a direction to close the triple valve exhaust.

6. A pressure retaining valve for air brake systems connected with the tri le valve exhaust and controlling the openmg and closing thereof, said valve including a casing, a valve core, means for normally moving said core in one direction to close the triple valve exhaust, said casing havin an inlet at one end connected with and a mitting pressure from the auxiliary reservoir to act upon one end of and to move the core in anopposite direction to open the triple valve exhaust, and means adapted upon movement of the core to a predetermined osition to by-pass excess auxiliary reservoir pressure to act upon the other end and t0 co-operate with the spring for mov-m in said core in a. direction to close the triple va ve exhaust.

7. A pressure retaining and sustaining valve for air brake systems connected with the triple valve exhaust and controllingthe' o ening and closing thereo-f,'said valve inclliidin a casing, a valve' core, means for norma y.moving said core in one direction to close the triple valve exhaust, said casin having an inlet at' one end connected witx and admitting pressure from the auxiliary reservoir to act upon one end of and to move the core in an opposite direction to open the triple valve exhaust and meansv operable upon movement of the core to a predetermined position when the brake cyl. inder pressure drops, for feeding auxiliary reservoir pressure. to the brake cylinder through the triple valve exhaust. A

opening and closing D noname i cluding a casing, a valve core, means for norbrake systems,

'valve core in said' ,mally moving said core in one direction to close the triple valve exhaust, said casing having an inlet at one end connected with and admitting pressure from the auxiliary reservoir to act upon one end of and to move the core in an opposite direction to open the triple valve exhaust, andmeans operable upon movement of the core to a predetermined position when the brake cylinder pressure drops, voir pressure to the brake cylinder through the triple valve exhaust, said latter means including a feed passage in the vvalve casing extending` from the interior of the casing to the triple valve exhaust inlet, a port in the valve core, and a brake cylinder pressure actuated valve element in the feed passage.

9. A pressure retaining valve for air brake systems connected with the triple valve exhaust and controlling the opening and closing thereof, said valve including a casing, a valve core, means for normally moving said core in one direction to close the triple valve exhaust, said casing having an inlet at `one end connected with and admitting pressure from the auxiliary reservoir to act upon oneend of and to move the core in an opposite direction to open the triple valve exhaust, means adapted upon movement of the core to a predetermined positionto ley-pass excess auxiliary reservoir pressure to act upon the' other end4 and to. co-operate with the spring for moving said core in a direction to close the triple valve exhaust, an excess pressure exhaust port in the valve casing, and a controlling port in the valve core adapted upon movement of the core to a predetermined position for registry therewith.

l0. pressure retaining valve for air comprising a casing, a slide casing adapted upon movement in opposite directions to respectively open and olose the triple valveexhaust,a spring for normally'moving the valve in a direction to close the triple valve exhaust, said casing having an inlet communicating with the auxiliary reservoir whereby a predetermined auxiliary reservoir pressure acts upon one end of and moves the slide valve in the opposite direction to open the triple valve exhaust to the atmosphere, and means for by-passing excess auxiliary reservoir pressure to act upon the for feeding auxiliary reser-` 'opposite end of the slide valve in conjunction with the sprin to vary the resistance of the movement o the slide valve to open the triple valve exhaust.

11. A pressure retaining valve for Iair brake systems, comprising a casing, a slide valve core in said casing adapted upon movement in opposite directions to respectively open and close the triple valve exhaust, a spring for normally moving the valve in a direction to close the triple valve exhaust, said municating with the auxiliary reservoir whereby a predetermined auxiliary reservoir pressure acts upon one end -of and moves the slide valve in the opposite direction to open the triple valve exhaust and means for ley-passing excess auxiliary reservoir pressure to act upon the opposite end of the slide valve in conjunction with the spring, to vary the resistance o the movement of the slide valve to open the triple valve exhaust, said means comprising a bypass in the valve casing, a port in the slide valve for conveying pressure therethrough to the by-pass upon movement of the core to a predetermined position, and a pressure actuated valve element in the by-pass for jclosing the by-pass by the reception of a predetermined pressure to act upon the opposite end of the slide valve.

12. A pressure retaining valve for air brake systems, comprising a casing, a slide 'valve core in said casing adapted upon movement in opposite directions to respectively open and close the triple valve exhaust, a spring valve in a direction to close the triplevalve exhaust, said casing having an inlet communicating with the auxiliary reservoir whereby a predetermined auxiliary reset`7 voir pressure acts upon one end of and moves the slide valve in the opposite direction to open the triple valve exhaust to the atmosphere, means for bypassing excess auxiliary reservoir pressure to act upon the opposite end of the slide valvein conjunction with the spring, i the movement of the slide valve to open the triple valve exhaust, said means comprising a ley-pass in the valve casing, a port in the slide valve for conveying pressure therethrough to the ley-pass upon the core to a predetermined position, a pressure' actuated valve element in they by-pass for closing the by-pass by the receptionvot` a predetermined pressure to act upon the opposite end of th slide valve, and a slide valve actuated excess pressure exhaust.

W'ILLIAM B. REINIGER.

to vary the resistance of casing having an inlet comto the atmosphere,

for normally lmoving the movement. of i DIBCL'TAIMER 1,658,678.-Wllzm B. Heiniger, VJersey City, N. J. Au'romvrrc PRESSURE RETAIN- InjG AND SUSTAINING VALVE Fon AIB-BRAKE Srsrmxs. Patent dated February 7, 1928. Disclaimer filed Jul 19, 1939, 'by the assignee, Richard Irvin 1 Company Incorporated, and e inventor. Hereb enter this disclaimer to claims 1 and 4.

[Jfical Gazette August 8, 1939.]

DISCLAIMER 1,658,678.-Wz'llam B. He'inger, Jersey City, N. J. AUTOMATIC PRESSURE RETAIN- ngG AND SUSTAINING V. .LvE Fon AIR-BRAKE SYSTEMS. Patent dated February 7, 1928. Disclamer filed Jul 19, 1939, by the assignee, Richard Irmn t Company Incorporated, and t e inventor. Hereboy enter this disclaimer to claims 1 and 4.

` czal Gazette August 8, 1989.] 

